Osteospermum plant named &#39;DAOSENOGTYVE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’, characterized by its vigorous growth, with globular upright to spreading shape; well branching (4-6 per plant) habit, with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick leaves; color of leaves RHS 139A (upper side), RHS 137B (Underside); ray florets with a unique color combination, RHS Red-purple 72A with stripes of RHS Purple N79C or darker, RHS White N155A edges at the upper side and stripes in various violet colors from RHS Violet 85A to RHS Violet 84A on the underside; and disk florets that appear RHS Violet 83A or darker.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Osteospermum ecklonis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAOSENOGTYVE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T. Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy and and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermum cultivar with good garden performance, well branching growth, continuous flowering and an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Ostospermum cultivar originated from a cross, made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2007, in Stige, Denmark. The female or seed parent is a light pink Osteospermum variety designated 5645A (not patented). The male or pollen parent is a dark purple colored Osteospermum cultivar named ‘Sunny Mary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13).

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by terminal cuttings was first performed in November, 2008 in Stige, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’, which in combination distinguish this Osteospermum as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   1. Vigorous cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape; -   2. Stiff and strong lateral stems and thick leaves. Color of mature     leaves is RHS 139A (upper side) RHS 137B (underside); -   3. Ray florets with a unique color combination, RHS Red-purple 72A     with stripes of RHS Purple N79C or darker, RHS White N155A edges at     the upper side, and stripes in various violet colors from RHS Violet     85A to RHS Violet 84A on the underside; and -   4. Disk florets that appear RHS Violet 83A or darker.

Plants of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ differ from plants of the parents, 5645A (unpatented) and ‘Sunny Mary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13) in the traits described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parent Varieties Trait New Cultivar Female Parent Male Parent ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ 5645A ‘Sunny Mary’ (unpatented) (US PP 16,389 P13) Plant Size Height: 15-17 cm. 12-13 cm. 15-17 cm. Diameter: 22-26 cm. 19-21 cm. 18-24 cm. Overall Plant Shape: Globular, upright to Globular, Globular, spreading, with basal upright to upright to branching. spreading, spreading, with basal with basal branching. and lateral branching. Basal branches Length (incl. 18-20 cm. 14-18 cm. 17-20 cm. flowers): 5 mm 5 mm. 5 mm Diameter: Stiff and strong. Medium Stiff and Strength: RHS 144A. strong. strong. Color: RHS 144A RHS 144A. Number of About 50. About 30. About 35. Inflorescence heads per Plant (buds and open flowers): Flower Size Diameter: 6-6.5 cm. 7.5-8.0 cm. 5.5-6 cm. Mature Petal Color RHS Red-purple 72A RHS 77C, RHS Red- (upper surface): with stripes of RHS with purple 72A. Purple N79C or stripes of 77B. darker and RHS White N155A edges.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ is the Osteospermum cultivar ‘Sunny Mary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13), in the characteristics described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Varieties Trait New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ ‘Sunny Mary’ (US PP 16,389 P13) Plant Size Height: 15-17 cm. 15-17 cm. Diameter: 22-26 cm. 18-24 cm. Overall Plant Shape: Globular, upright to Globular, upright to spreading, with basal spreading, with basal and branching. lateral branching. Branches Length: 18-20 cm. 17-20 cm. Diameter: 5 mm 5 mm Strength: Stiff and strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS 144A. RHS 144A. Number of About 50. About 35. Inflorescence heads per Plant (buds and open flowers): Flower Size Diameter: 6-6.5 cm. 5.5-6 cm. Mature Petal Color RHS Red-purple 72A with RHS Red-purple 72A. (Upper side): stripes of RHS Purple N79C or darker and RHS White N155A edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical lateral stems with leaves and buds of ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the different leaf sizes of ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison between the upperside of the flowers from 5645A (unpatented), ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ (Breeders reference: 6421C) and ‘Sunny Mary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13).

FIG. 6 shows a comparison between the underside of the flowers from 5645A (unpatented), ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ (Breeders reference: 6421C) and ‘Sunny Mary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ as grown in a glasshouse, equipped with heat, assimilation light and ebb/flood watering system in Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plants was grown in 14° C., with a venting temperature on 16° C. Assimilation light was given when natural daylight was below 3000 lux and the day length was extended to 16 hours. The EC (mS/m) levels in the soil were kept at about 2.5-3.5 and pH around 6.0 during the production. Plant growth was regulated 3 times during the production period, using 3‰ Cycocel (chlormequat-chloride) as a drench (80-100 ml/pot).

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), Colour Chart 2001 edition, Color values were taken under March daylight conditions at approximately 10:00-14:00 in Stige, Denmark. The age of the ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’ plants described is 12 weeks from potting.

-   Classification: -   Botanical: Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) Norl. -   Parentage: -   Female or seed parent: Osteospermum plant designated 5645A     (unpatented). -   Male or pollen parent: Osteospermum cultivar designated ‘Sunny Mary’     (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,389 P13) -   Propagation: -   Type: Vegetative terminate cuttings. -   Time and temperature to initiate roots: About 9-13 days at 19-21° C.     in tunnels in a greenhouse. -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant: About 4-5     weeks at 18° (initiation period benefits from 19-21° C.). -   Rooting habit: Vigorous, white to grayed yellow and well branched. -   Plant description: -   General appearance and form: Globular, upright, with basal     branching. Inflorescences in composite heads. Freely branching with     lateral flowering branches forming at nodes. -   Growth rate: Growing about 1 cm per week during production period. -   Plant height: About 15-17 cm. -   Plant width (spread): About 22-26 cm. -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant: It requires 4-5 weeks     to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation plug. After potting     12-14 weeks are required to produce finished flowering plants in 11     cm pots. -   Stem: -   Shape: Round. -   Length: About 2-4 cm. -   Diameter: About 6-7 mm. -   Strength: Stiff and strong. -   Aspect: Upright. -   Texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Color: RHS Yellow-green 144A. -   Branches: -   Branching habit: Basal branching with lateral branching. -   Number of branches per plant: About 4-6. -   Number of lateral branches per basal branch: 2-5. -   Length (including flowers): About 17-20 cm. -   Diameter: About 5 mm. -   Strength: Stiff and strong. -   Apect: Upright to spreading. -   Texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Color: Mature: RHS Yellow-green 144A. Immature: RHS Yellow-green     144B. -   Internode length: About 3 to 12 mm. -   Internode color: RHS Yellow-green 144A. -   Foliage description: -   Arrangement: Alternate. -   Number of leaves per branch: About 10-15 per branch. -   Length: About 4-8.5 cm. -   Width: About 2-4.5 cm. -   Overall shape of leaf: Obovate to spatulate with 2-4 acuminate teeth     on most of the leaves. -   Shape at apex: Obtuse. -   Shape at base: Attenuate. -   Margin: Entire to dentate (2 lobes on each side of most of the     leafs). -   Texture: Upper surface: Pubescent with few scattered short, stiff     hairs. More hairs on the edges of leaf. Lower surface: Pubescent     with few scattered short, stiff hairs More hairs along veins and on     the edges of leaf. -   Color of developing foliage: Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface:     RHS 138A. -   Color of mature foliage: Upper surface: RHS 139A. Lower surface: RHS     137B. -   Venation pattern: Trinerved with veins along nerves. -   Venation color: Upper surface: RHS 145A. Lower surface: RHS 146C. -   Inflorescence description: -   Arrangement and shape: Tubular disk floret and flat, lanceolate ray     florets in composite flower heads, developed from terminal and     axillary shoots. The peduncles lift the Inflorescences 2-3 cm above     the foliage. Inflorescences face upright to 80° angle from vertical. -   Natural flowering season: Osteospermum is a bedding plant, with a     flowering season from early spring to late autumn. Temperatures     below 20° C. will increase flowering, temperatures above 20° C. will     reduce flowering. -   Time to flower: 65-85 days. -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant: Inflorescence will maintain     good color and substance for about 5-10 days; however, the longevity     of individual inflorescence is highly dependent on temperature and     light conditions. Inflorescence persistent. -   Quantity of inflorescences heads: Freely flowering; about 50 buds     and open inflorescences per plant. -   Fragrance: None. -   Bud (inflorescences head):     -   -   Rate of opening (from showing color to fully open             flower).—1-5 days. The rate of opening is highly dependent             on temperature and light conditions.         -   Length.—About 12 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 10 mm.         -   Shape.—Acuminate.         -   Texture.—Pubescent with small hairs.         -   Color.—RHS 144A at base to 139B at apex. -   Peduncle: From both terminate and axillary shoots.     -   -   Length.—About 7 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.         -   Angle.—About 0-20° from vertical.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Texture.—Pubesent with small white hairs.         -   Color.—RHS 138A. Exposed to sun, small stains of RHS 200A             appear, and give the peduncle a reddish look. -   Inflorescence head:     -   -   Length.—About 10 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 6-6.5 cm. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence head.—18-22.         -   Length.‘3 32 mm.         -   Widths.—9-11 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Spatulate.         -   Shape at apex.—Obtuse.         -   Shape at base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: smooth, matt, slightly furrowed             Lower surface: smooth, matt slightly furrowed.         -   Color upper side.—RHS Red-purple 72A with stripes of RHS             Purple N79C or darker and RHS White N155A edges.         -   Color underside.—Stripes in various violet colors from RHS             Violet 85A to RHS Violet 84A. -   Disk florets:     -   -   Quantity per inflorescence head.—70-90.         -   Length.—10 mm.         -   Diameter.—2 mm.         -   Color.—Tip: RHS Violet 83A or darker. Center: RHS Purple             N78D. Base: White. -   Phyllary: 15-20.     -   -   Length.—9-11 mm.         -   Width.—2-3 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Narrow Acuminate.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—RHS 139B. -   Reproductive organs: -   Androecium:     -   -   Location.—Disk florets only.         -   Stamen number.—5 fused.         -   Stamen length.—About 2 mm.         -   Anther shape.—Linear, fused.         -   Anther length.—About 2 mm.         -   Pollen amount.—Medium amount.         -   Pollen color.—RHS N25D. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Location.—Ray and disk florets.         -   Quantity.—1.         -   Pistil length.—About 4 mm.         -   Stigma shape.—Brush-like, cleft 1.5 mm deep.         -   Stigma length.—About 2 mm.         -   Stigma color.—RHS 103A.         -   Style length.—About 2 mm.         -   Style color.—RHS 103C.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 144D. -   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited     good tolerance to rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may     cease during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low     temperature tolerance to 1° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘DAOSENOGTYVE’, as illustrated and described herein. 